A mere 150 km north of Sydney sits Australia’s second-oldest city. Newcastle, the economic and trade centre of the Hunter Valley, is a wonderful coastal metropolis bursting with life.
See the old fort that served as a defensive stronghold against potential Russian invasion and then soak in the natural beauty of the area in the wetlands. Browse lastminute.com.au’s fantastic offers on cheap Newcastle holidays and discover much more.
lastminute.com.au has plenty of car hire options in Newcastle, so get one. Then put it in drive and head over to Fort Scratchley, a former coastal defence fortification that’s now a museum. It was built in 1882 in case the Russians decided to get aggressive for some reason, but they didn’t. In 1942 the Japanese thought it’d be a good idea launch shells at the wall, but to no avail. Anyways, take a tour of the entire grounds and the secret tunnels running beneath.
Once the city’s defences are secured, make your way to the Hunter Wetlands Centre and get your nature on. Really, a Newcastle holiday is nothing without nature. Go on a 2-km canoe trip through Ironbark Creek and see animals like magpie geese, long-necked turtles and red-bellied black snakes. Next, trade the canoe for a Segway and weave your way through several paved trails. Remember, this is all about balance, so don’t get cocky. You don’t want to end up on one of those “Best Spills” compilation videos.
Aren’t you happy you went with one of our Newcastle package deals? Look at all the money you saved. Take some of those savings and treat yourself in the boutiques that line Darby Street. If you’re looking to become a hipster or just want to up your game, this is the place for you. There’s also the Newcastle City Farmers Market and a major shopping centre called Hunter Street Mall.
Hear that growling noise? That’s your stomach letting you know it’s time to eat. Pick out a delicious meal from one of the many restaurants along Beaumont Street. There’s everything from small cafes to high-end joints serving up dishes from all corners of the globe. You can also head back Darby Street, which has its own collection of yummy eateries.
You don’t want to be far from the night action, do you? Get one of our Newcastle packages with a hotel along the harbour in the Foreshore area, so you’ll be able to crawl back to your bed if you have to. But before it comes to that, enjoy a cold one from Queens Wharf Brewery. From there, you’ll be within walking distance of several major hotels that host some of the hottest nightclubs in the city. Don’t forget you room number!
There’s something to be said about going to Australia’s second-oldest city. Figure out what that is and get back to us. But before you do that, browse our ridiculously good package deals to Newcastle—we’ll talk later.
Reviewed on 17 Apr. 2024
Reviewed on 8 Apr. 2024
Reviewed on 5 Apr. 2024
Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Newcastle Beach during your travels in Newcastle? Wander the waterfront in this family-friendly area.
Enjoy an outing to Merewether Ocean Baths during your stay in Newcastle. Visit the lively bars or charming cafes in this walkable area.
Explore the great outdoors at Foreshore Park, a lovely green space in Newcastle. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches or simply savour its lively bars.
^Savings based on all package bookings made with Flight + Hotel on lastminute.com.au from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.